This article is part of our DraftGoal Fantasy Soccer series.
In a recently formed partnership, RotoWire has joined forces with online fantasy soccer website DraftGoal.com to provide strategic recommendations that could result in cash prizes for contestants.
DraftGoal hosts daily fantasy games that allow users to manage a virtual team and compete against other users through any one of their many contests. It's as easy as selecting a league, building a team under a virtual salary cap of $100,000 and then selecting a contest.
From there, users can edit their teams until rosters lock five minutes prior to kickoff, allowing for late swaps depending on the starting lineups named by Premier League managers. Additionally, the site offers global edits, which allows users to make substitutions to numerous lineups with only a few quick clicks.
After a team in locked in place, contestants can monitor their performance through DraftGoal's real-time data, which updates team scores live as statistics are accumulated during matches.
However, this is where DraftGoal's uniqueness shines. Not only are the usual fantasy soccer stats – goals, assists, clean sheets and saves – counted, but more advanced contributions, like shots on target, interceptions, duels won and game-winning goals are tallied to provide a more sophisticated scoring system for contestants to strategize around.
For example, casual Premier League followers might not know West Brom's Claudio Yacob. However, thanks to a tireless shift that included seven recovered balls, four passes intercepted, four winning tackles, and two fouls won in a clean sheet win at Crystal Palace last weekend, Yacob earned 17 points on DraftGoal to evidence the impact that defensive midfielders can have in real-life and fantasy leagues.
As a result, DraftGoal's scoring system makes contestants carefully consider the formation they use. Sure, a 4-3-3 might maximize attacking potential, but a more traditional 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 may best capitalize on the steady defensive contributions that aren't measured in other fantasy formats.
With DraftGoal's innovative scoring and salary evaluations in mind, here are some candidates from the remaining teams that could help users earn money in Saturday and Sunday contests:
Goalkeepers
Following a spectacular 28.00 DraftGoal points that included seven saves and a penalty stop last weekend, Burnley's Tom Heaton ($8,400) could be poised for another standout performance this round against Leicester City. The Foxes' attack still ranks toward the bottom of the league, but they're riding a high of three straight wins. That good form, coupled with Burnley's shaky defense, sets up nicely for heavy involvement from Heaton, who is well equipped for such circumstances. Only three Premier League goalkeepers top Heaton's 108 saves this season, and with Burnley increasingly desperate to stay afloat, the former Manchester United man's rescue ability should be vital at home Saturday.
On the flip side, Leicester's Kasper Schmeichel ($5,000) might also be a worthwhile investment. That's because, like Heaton, Schmeichel plays behind a less-than-stellar defense that often presents him with save opportunities. In fact, last weekend Schmeichel registered six saves in a clean sheet win at Swansea, which resulted in 26.00 DraftGoal points. Now, with Burnley having gone scoreless in five of their last six matches, Schmeichel could be in line for a similarly special outing and his salary is among the cheapest at his position.
A more conventional selection this week could be Stoke City's Asmir Begovic ($9,500), who goes against a Sunderland team whose 25 goals through 32 matches rank second-worst in the Premiership. Additionally, Begovic plays at home, where Stoke has won four of its last six, including a couple of clean sheets efforts defensively. Conversely, Sunderland hasn't won on the road since mid-December and their 11 away goals also rank second-last league-wide.
Defenders
When it comes to defenders, no player has fared better on DraftGoal this season than Burnley's Kieran Trippier ($12,100), who is averaging 15.00 points per match and plays Leciester City this weekend. On the whole of this season, the Foxes' attack is poor enough to give Trippier a rare clean sheet opportunity, especially at home, but even if that doesn't pan out, the Englishman's other statistical contributions make him worth his salary. Along with 76 successful crosses, the right-sided Trippier has totaled an incredible 227 recovered balls to go with 70 passes intercepted and 49 winning tackles. With such a complete skill set, as well as a favorable matchup against Leciester, Trippier could advance his already lofty standing on DraftGoal this week.
Like Trippier, West Ham's Aaron Cresswell ($6,200) is another English fullback that has turned heads with his fantastic play this season. The Hammers' left back has scored twice and dished out four assists on the campaign, while also posting seven clean sheets. That production has Cresswell averaging 9.00 points per game on DraftGoal, which represents a great return for his inexpensive price tag. This weekend, Cresswell and West Ham are pitted against fellow Londoners Queens Park Rangers, who were blanked by the Hammers back in October. In fact, the Rs have scored just five times in nine matches versus inner-city league opponents on the season, painting a good picture for Cresswell come Saturday.
Despite a blip on the radar in the form of two set-piece goals allowed last weekend, Crystal Palace's Joel Ward ($13,900) could still be worth a selection this time around. That's because Ward plays a Hull City side that has failed to score in five of their last seven matches on the road, where they haven't won in the Premier League since Boxing Day. That horrific form could prove tough to overcome against a Palace team that has generally been flying high lately, helping Ward achieve 11.00 DraftGoal points per game along the way.
While Ward's $13,900 salary is a bit hefty, fellow regular Palace starters Scott Dann ($13,400) and Damien Delaney ($12,200) don't come much cheaper. As a result, the best strategy might be to wait until manager Alan Pardew's lineup is released Saturday, and then pick the fourth defender, perhaps Pape Souare ($6,200) or Martin Kelly ($5,400), to limit the cost of a Palace defender, yet keep the clean sheet prospects that come along with this weekend's matchup.
Midfielders
By now, owners should know not to overlook defensive midfielders on DraftGoal and this week, West Ham's Alex Song ($7,100) should further that sentiment. The Barcelona loanee has averaged 15.00 points per game this season, putting him even with attackers like David Silva and Raheem Sterling in the all-important category. Last week, against Silva and mighty Man City, Song turned up with nine recovered ball and five tackles en route to 18 points on DraftGoal. Come this Saturday, the Cameroonian is pitted against Queens Park Rangers, who Song recorded 21 points against back in October. The Rs rank third-worst in the Premier League in pass success, which should lead to Song breaking up plenty of attacks once again this weekend.
A similar player is Swansea's Ki Sung-yueng ($9,400), who is a bit pricier, but holds more offensive potential than Song. To that point, the South Korean's seven goals on the season lead Swansea and Ki has also won 43 fouls as well. With just above an additional nine defensive points per game on DraftGoal, Ki is a well-rounded value and now gets to face a Newcastle team reeling from six straight losses. Last time Ki went against the Magpies, he picked up 12 recovered balls, which went toward 16 defensive points alone.
Stoke City's Steven N'Zonzi ($4,800) could be another defensive midfielder to target, especially considering his budget salary. The towering Potters player is averaging 11.00 points per match on DraftGoal and is tasked this week with Sunderland, who have failed to win in their last seven away matches. The Black Cats are also averaging the fewest shot attempts per game (10.4) in England's top-flight this season and lost their most recent match 4-1 at home. As a result, N'Zonzi should like his chances of bossing the midfield, much to the delight of potential fantasy owners.
In attacking positions, Liverpool's Raheem Sterling ($10,600) has been one of the Premier League's best players this season. The English youngster sports seven goals and eight assists on the campaign, with four of those goals being the match-winners that warrant extra points on DraftGoal. One of those came last weekend versus Newcastle, which leads nicely into Sterling taking on a West Brom team that has allowed seven goals from their last two home matches. Sterling is also significantly cheaper than fellow Anfield attacker Philippe Coutinho ($13,700), and could play the "False 9" position this weekend versus the Baggies, given Daniel Sturridge's latest injury situation.
Despite losing at Stamford Bridge last weekend, Manchester United's Ander Herrera ($7,900) was one of the Red Devils' bright spots, particularly on DraftGoal. His seven recovered balls, seven passes intercepted and three winning tackles helped achieve 11 defensive points to go with three in attacking categories. That total of 14 points followed a 16-point effort versus Manchester City, 25 versus Aston Villa and 15 against Liverpool, putting Herrera in shining form ahead of this weekend's match at Everton.
Forwards
He'll certainly hurt the budget, but Manchester City's Sergio Aguero ($25,600) has rediscovered his scoring form of lately, tallying three of the Citizens' four goals over the last two weeks. Overall, the Argentine is tied with Tottenham's Harry Kane for the Premier League's scoring lead, as both players currently sit on 20 goals apiece. However, while Kane plays at the league's best defense (statistically), Southampton, this weekend, Aguero is pitted against Aston Villa at home. Aguero scored versus the Villains back in October and could do the business for Man City once again this time around.
On the opposite side of the salary spectrum, Leicester's Jamie Vardy ($6,400) enters this weekend in similarly special form. As the Foxes have kick-started their season in recent weeks, scoring 10 goals in their last four games, Vardy has been responsible for two goals and two assists himself. That attacking prowess has helped Leicester climb toward safety with three consecutive wins, a streak they'll look to extend in Saturday's massive tie versus last-place Burnley, who have just one win from their 12 tries.
Finally, no forward offers more defensive production (7.83 DraftGoal points per game) than Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez ($12,500) and such admirable defensive work should be vital as the Gunners look to take down Chelsea this Sunday. After closing down on opponents, the Chilean has also shown the ability to break forward and dictate play in the final third, evidenced by his 17 goals and nine assists. With those gaudy figures, Alexis' 20.00-point average on DraftGoal is four more than any other forward. Arsenal's star signing proved to be a man for the big occasion last weekend, scoring twice at Wembley in an FA Cup semifinal win, and he should be even more geared up for this weekend's home match against the league leaders.
